Looks like a bunch of EC owners, do bed covers help with MPG?

Not enough that you would be able to make an issue of it. You could make an issue in that it may slow you down wee bit on a top end run, but hey, drop the tailgate and problem solved!

If you want one for whatever reason whether looks or function, go for it.

Of course this is coming from a guy who dearly loves the look of a snap down fabric cover but is still struggling with the thought of drilling holes into the quarters!

I've temporarally put my final decision on hold till I get the big block built and installed.

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ACES member# 5093
Elcaminos are special!
I'd rather walk around with a Chevrolet hubcap in my hand than drive a Ford

Ole Paint (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/olepaint1)

I haven't sprung for a cover on my 67 yet but I'd think it would. I did notice that driving the Elky from KC to Lawton, OK (450+ miles) that dropping the tailgate gave a bit smoother ride (no wind buffeting) and maybe 1 or 2 mpg improvement. I'm still using it as a parts chaser and bad weather driver so a cover wouldn't be convenient for me right now. When/if the time comes, I think I'd spring for a rigid cover though.

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TC Gold #92/ACES #1709
67 SS & 67 Elky
GR8PMKN (http://www.dalesplace.com/images/chevelle/more_pics/p001182.jpg)

Dale's Place (http://www.dalesplace.com) Team 67 (http://www.team67.com)
Midwest Chevelle Regional Governing Council (http://www.midwestchevelles.com)
Integrity: If you have it, it doesn't matter - If you don't have it, it doesn't matter.

I've been toying with the idea of doing a ridgid cover by covering a flat piece of metal/wood with a suitable fabric overlay.

But all my effort and funds are aimed at my big block project for now.

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ACES member# 5093
Elcaminos are special!
I'd rather walk around with a Chevrolet hubcap in my hand than drive a Ford

Ole Paint (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/olepaint1)

My 69 has a fabric cover with snaps. It looks and fits fine but I'm not really partial to bed covers.

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Clint Hooper
ACES #1650
Wichita Falls,Tx
69 El Camino (prostreet soon to be protourer)
91 Callaway Aerobody ZR-1

I have a vinyl cover with snaps made up by a local upholstery shop. I prefer the cover on them. I have seen some very nice rigid covers made by a Calif co (forget the name!) but I like mine just fine. MPG??? What's that? Not a daily driver, just a toy, so it isn't an issue, and I don't think I want to know. I can tell you it ain't gonna help GM's CAFE numbers!
John

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TC# 958
'67 Elky 396/325 TH400
----------------------------
"Speed Costs Money -
How Fast Ya Wanna Go?"

I have a soft one with the snaps in the bed chrome- not in the body... Pretty nice- I want one of the hard fiberglass ones- They look great- seal the water out- AND since they are hinged with those little struts, it makes it real easy to open up and put stuff in- That is my #1 complaint about the vinyl snap ones- having to strech it back out to snap it down... real cold or real hot out and it becomes a PITA...

Anyway...

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Ben Rambow
1970 El Camino SS (http://www.elcaminoclassics.com/code/rambow1.htm)
My old 1969 El Camino (http://www.chevelles.com/feature/july2001.html)
The El Camino Classics Club (http://www.elcaminoclassics.com)
"Whats the matter with the car I'm Driving? Can't ya tell that its out of style..."

I've got one on my 72 Elky also.
It had the snaps on from the previous owner. I just put new stainless steel ones in and had a shop make one up out of vinyl. I think you can see some of it in my pic. If you want a better shot or it...i will gladly post a pic for ya!!!
Brian

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71 Chevelle
http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-3-4.jpg
72 El Camino(71 front)<A HREF="http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-1-1.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-1-1.jpg
</A>

Can anyone reccomend the manufacturer/distributor for the best reproduction toneau cover for '70-'72 models (i.e., overall quality and grain match). Do they come w/o the snaps installed so that the original positions can be used? Does anyone reproduce the original aluminum extrusion mounting bracket at the cab as used originally?
Thanks in advance.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by zookpr:
Can anyone reccomend the manufacturer/distributor for the best reproduction toneau cover for '70-'72 models (i.e., overall quality and grain match). Do they come w/o the snaps installed so that the original positions can be used? Does anyone reproduce the original aluminum extrusion mounting bracket at the cab as used originally?
Thanks in advance.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If your car has snaps in it already (this would be aftermarket, our cars did not ever have snaps in it from the factory) you will need to have a cover custom made.

There are some MFGs that sell ready to go cover kits- but they assume you will be drilling holes for THEIR cover...

Check out a couple of your local auto upholstery shops- any one of them can make you a great tonneau from scratch, and match your mounting spots.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Does anyone reproduce the original aluminum extrusion mounting bracket at the cab as used originally?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Again, this is not origonal, but an aftermarket thing someone added when they added your tonneau cover origonally. It sounds like you have a "ROPE RAIL" bracket, very common for tonneau covers bed wall side. Any upholstery shop should be able to use your existing one with a new cover, or get you a new one if yours is trashed.


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Ben Rambow
1970 El Camino SS (http://www.elcaminoclassics.com/code/rambow1.htm)
My old 1969 El Camino (http://www.chevelles.com/feature/july2001.html)
The El Camino Classics Club (http://www.elcaminoclassics.com)
"Whats the matter with the car I'm Driving? Can't ya tell that its out of style..."

ASHOM70,
Thanks for the info. My present toneau cover was custom made. In the mid '70s I had a '72 El Camino that was midnight bronze metalic w/ saddle interior, top, and toneau. It had the "rope rail" extrusion. I assumed it was factory since the grain and color match was exact. I wasn't old enough to have bought it new. In the '80's I had another '72 that had a toneau with matching grain but it had "boat snaps" along the cab and "regular" (for lack of the correct term) snaps along the remaining sides. I'll have to see if the shop is still in business.
Thanks.
Zookpr

I just ordered a hard tonneau cover for my daily driver. It's a Gaylord's X2000. On their web site:
http://www.gaylordslids.com

is a link for El Camino lids.

When I receive my lid, I'll let you know if it was worth the $$!

Rick



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Maryland Chevelle Club Member #11 (http://www.chevelles.net/mcc/mcc.htm)
Team Chevelle Gold Member #152
ACES Member #560
The Show Chevelle - '69 SS 396 L78 (http://www.chevelles.net/mcc/features/jun99.htm)
The Project Chevelle - '67 Malibu (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/RatMotor69/67-2.jpg)
The Back-Up Show Car - '87 IROC L98 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/RatMotor69/IROC.jpg)
The Daily Driver (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/RatMotor69/DakSide.jpg)

Does anyone know who can makes one that would fit a little lower then the bed rails and weather proof, that could be secured with Duzs fasteners? Hmmm.... a sheet of treated 3/8" plywood, 2 ten foot joints of 1x1 aluminium angle, assorted screws nut's and bolts, Duzs fasteners, maybe some hinges, 3M spray adhesive and some vinyl...Sounds like a project http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

This is a bit off topic, but has anyone seen an all metal hard cover for a 65 El Camino? I could swear I saw one that fit inside the bed chrome and was hinged at the cab. This one looked really sweet painted the same color as the car.

Would love to know where to find one

Gn Geoff, that's exactly how I made the one I had on my '72. Wrapped it in carpet pad and vinyl and it looked pretty good. Sat down in the rails...didn't stick up. Can't say it was "totally" waterproof but, after putting some weatherstripping along the bottom, it was dry in the bed most all the time.

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Don - Chicago 'Burbs
Yous got a problem wit dat?
'67 Malibu Street Machine
"Under Construction" - Still!
Parts left over = Less weight!
Gold #43

Here are some pics of my bed cover that a shop stitched up for me....
http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/1-3-2.jpg
http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/1-3-3.jpg
Brian

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71 Chevelle
http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-3-4.jpg
72 El Camino(71 front)<A HREF="http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-1-1.jpg" TARGET=_blank>
http://photo.starblvd.net/~CHELK/2-1-1.jpg
</A>

Ratmotor69 I'll tell you right now you'l be very pleased with your Gaylords cover.
I got a used one from fellow TC'r Pat McNiel
I love mine,It quiets the hiway drone and also the wind buffett.Gaylords customer service is excellent also,yes even on a previously owned unit.

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Philip Mullaly
72 TPI El Camino
You can never fix a Ford,You can only work on them alot.
70 442 (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/442lftsd.jpg)
The Z-meano (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Caminoside.jpg)
Cowl induction injection (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/tpienglft.jpg)

Thanks Philip!
They say I'll receive it the 3rd-4th week in January! I've heard nothing but good stuff regarding their products.

Rick